Delta-8 vs. delta-9 vs. delta-10: What’s the difference?

Delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 are all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a type of cannabinoid in cannabis. Delta-9 THC is the most well-known because it’s the dominant chemical compound in cannabis.

All three cannabinoids have health benefits and produce a ‘high.’ But their effects differ from one another. Understanding their differences can help you choose the best one for your cannabis-related goals.

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What Is delta-8 THC?

The cannabis plant naturally produces a trace amount of delta-8 THC. It’s produced as the plant ages and some of its delta-9 takes on new chemical properties, becoming delta-8. 

Delta-8 products made from hemp plants are popular because they’re federally legal. Because there’s such a small amount of delta-8 in cannabis, most products contain a semi-synthesized form of delta-8 that’s made by rearranging the molecules of cannabidiol (CBD), the dominant cannabinoid in hemp.

How delta-8 works

Like other cannabinoids, delta-8 interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS uses cannabinoids to balance bodily functions like:

• Pain
• Inflammation
• Mood
• Sleep

Each cannabinoid interacts with different receptors in the body, giving them unique effects. Delta-8 mainly interacts with receptors in the brain that balance functions like mood and pain tolerance. 

It also interacts with receptors responsible for the intoxicating effects you feel from cannabis. However, delta-8 doesn’t attach to these receptors as strongly as delta-9, so its high is milder.

Uses

You might prefer delta-8’s milder high over delta-9’s, especially if you have a low THC tolerance. Delta-8’s high is also said to be more calming, so you might use delta-8 at nighttime when you’re seeking relaxation.

Potential benefits

While studies are limited, delta-8 THC may offer health health benefits such as:

• Euphoria
• Pain relief
• Nerve-protecting (neuroprotective) effects
• Improved sleep
• Stress and anxiety relief 
• Relief from nausea and vomiting
• Improved appetite

Risks and drawbacks

Again, research on delta-8 is limited. But it’s been suggested that delta-8 may have fewer side effects compared to stronger cannabinoids like delta-9 THC.

Delta-8 may still cause side effects, especially if your THC tolerance is low. They include:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Anxiety
• Impairment

Be aware that hemp-derived delta-8 products are not regulated like cannabis sold in dispensaries. Most manufacturers create semi-synthetic delta-8 using industrial chemicals that may or may not be safe. Some reports show that they can cause bodily harm.

It’s also important to be aware of delta-8’s legal status, which differs from marijuana and delta-9 THC. Because delta-8 is extracted from hemp, it’s federally legal but banned in several states — including some states where adult-use marijuana is legal, like Colorado. 

At the same time, delta-8 is legal in some states where adult-use marijuana is prohibited, like Florida.

What Is delta-9 THC?

Delta-9 THC is the most popular form of THC. It’s the most abundant compound in marijuana, but hemp has only trace amounts.

How it works

Like delta-8, delta-9 interacts with your endocannabinoid system to produce potential health benefits and intoxicating effects. But it attaches to receptors in your body more strongly than delta-8, so its effects are more potent.

Uses

You may use delta-9 recreationally or to manage symptoms of a health condition.  

Potential benefits

Research on delta-9’s benefits is more extensive compared to delta-8. Delta-9 may help relieve symptoms of health conditions like:

• Anxiety
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancer and chemotherapy
• Insomnia 
• Issues with memory 
• Low appetite
• Muscle tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Risks and drawbacks

Since delta-9’s high can be powerful, it may be more likely to cause side effects, especially in high doses. They include:

• Anxiety
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Dry mouth
• Impairment

The legal status of delta-9 depends on your state laws; THC products over 0.3% are still illegal at the federal level in the United States.

What is delta-10 THC?

Similarly to delta-8, delta-10 is a trace cannabinoid in cannabis. While people describe delta-8 as calming, delta-10 is said to be mildly stimulating. 

Like delta-8, delta-10 is commonly produced in a lab from hemp-derived CBD.  

How it works

Delta-10’s effects are the least understood due to limited research. But as a cannabinoid, delta-10 affects the endocannabinoid system. 

Although delta-10 can make you feel intoxicated, it’s much milder compared to delta-9.

Uses

Delta-10 may have unique health benefits, although none have been confirmed in studies. Its mild high may appeal to you if you’re looking for something subtler than delta-9.

Potential benefits

No research exists on the medical benefits of delta-10 THC. But users anecdotally report:

• Enhanced creativity
• Euphoria
• Improved focus
• Increased energy
• Reduced anxiety
• Stress relief

Risks and drawbacks

Because of limited research, delta-10’s safety is unknown. Its side effects are probably similar to those of delta-8 and delta-9.

Like with delta-8, commercial delta-10 products are made with a semi-synthesized form of delta-10, which may or may not be safe depending on the manufacturer. 

The bottom line: When choosing a cannabinoid, consider your goals as well as safety

Delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, and delta-10 THC can affect you differently. When deciding which one to try, consider:

• Your tolerance
• How intoxicated you want to feel
• Each cannabinoid’s benefits
• Whether or not a product is made using safe manufacturing practices

Out of the three, only delta-9 THC products are regulated according to strict safety standards. With a medical cannabis card from Leafwell, you can access safely made products at licensed dispensaries.

Resources

• Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol
• Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-10 tetrahydrocannabinol, and tetrahydrocannabinol-O acetate exposures reported to America’s poison centers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38686923/
• Delta-8 THC: Delta-9 THC’s nicer younger sibling? https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-021-00115-8
• Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a full agonist at CB1 receptors on GABA neuron axon terminals in the hippocampus. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20417220/
• Self-reported adverse events associated with ∆8–tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-8-THC) use. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10204335/